David Muir: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

ABC announced Wednesday morning that Diane Sawyer will be stepping down as anchor of “World News” and will be replaced by “World News” weekend anchor, David Muir, featured in the video above. Muir will continue hosting “20/20″ with Elizabeth Vargas.

The network also announced George Stephanopoulos has been named chief anchor for the network. He will continue with his work on “Good Morning America” and “This Week,” but will provide special coverage for the network on election nights and work on other special reports.

Here’s what you need to know about Muir:

1. Muir Started at ABC in 2003

According to his network biography, Muir joined ABC News in August 2003. During his first week on air, he anchored for several hours while the network covered the massive 2003 blackout. He also anchored ABC’s coverage of the 60th anniversary of D-Day during his first year at the network.

2. He Worked in Boston and Upstate New York Before Starting at ABC

Before becoming a network anchor at ABC, Muir worked at WCVB-TV, an ABC affiliate in Boston, and WTVH-TV in his hometown of Syracuse, New York. Muir, interviewed by a Syracuse television station in the video above, earned awards from the Associated Press and a regional Edward R. Murrow award after his work in Boston tracking the flight patterns of the 9/11 hijackers and for his coverage of the Boston Archdiocese sex abuse scandal.

David has made his reputation reporting from the ground on every big story of recent times, and we know that when the big stories happen, wherever they happen, David will be there for us and our audience.

Sawyer and Stephanopoulos took to Twitter to congratulate one another after the shake-up was made public. Sawyer thanked viewers for watching “World News” on Twitter, saying “we have an exciting new adventure ahead.” According to TVNewser, Sawyer will stay within the network, taking over some of the specials and interviews formally handled by Barbara Walters. Walters retired in May after roughly four decades at ABC News.

Goldston said there’s no one better to act as ABC News’ chief anchor in the note published this morning. He said:

In this position, George will be our lead anchor for major special events and breaking news at ABC, driving our live network coverage for the biggest stories. From the retirement of Pope Benedict to the manhunt for the Boston bomber, George skillfully navigates uncertain and unfolding situations while synthesizing the latest reporting for our viewers. George is adept at balancing both complex global and public policy questions and deeply personal stories in interviews with numerous luminaries from Vladimir Putin to Angelina Jolie.

5. Muir Went to Ithaca College

Muir graduated Manga Cum Laude from Ithaca College. He also attended the Institute on Political Journalism at Georgetown and studied at Spain’s University of Salamanca. He’s fluent in Spanish. TMZ called Muir the “Brad Pitt of News Anchors” in 2009. Muir told Gotham Magazine that his Catholic upbringing enables him to tell the stories of people rising above incredible tragedy as a testament to their strength. He told the magazine, “It’s very stark and it’s right in front of you. It’s moving—and humbling.”